Paris: France, which holds a permanent
seat on the United Nations Security Council, today said it was backing Ban Ki-moon`s bid for a second five-year term as UN secretary general.

"Mr Ban Ki-moon...has the full support of France,"
said Foreign Minister Alain Juppe.

"For the last five years the secretary general has shown faultless commitment to the service of the United Nations, peace, and also development. He has shown courage and determination in a period of crisis," Juppe said in a statement.

"We have no doubt that he will show the same qualities
in his second mandate at the head of the UN," he added.

Ban has led the global body since January 2007, and
his term ends on December 31.

Diplomats say that with no rival for the position, the
UN Security Council is expected to give its approval and the
UN General Assembly will hold a vote before the end of
June.